Spreader for hammocks



(No Model.)

T. B. THOMAS.

SPREADER FOR HAMMOGKS. l 8 No 384,728. Patented June 19, 1888.

WE /wuss. ZZZ/'WZZZJIZ El. Z7260, E 'flwizw. I wfzm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE B. THOMAS, OF QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPREADER FOR HAMMOCKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 384,728, dated June 19, 1888.

Application filed March 9, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE B. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quincy, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spreaders for Hammocks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use hammock, which pass freely theret-hrough.

My invention consists, secondly, in the arrangement of the hammock and spreader with respect to each other, by which the hammock is secured to the spreader; also in the position and adjustment of the suspensory cords which serve to further clamp the spreader upon the ends of the hammock. 1

The drawings represent, in Figure 1, a perspective view of a hammock-spreader embodying my invention. versely of the spreader but lengthwise of the hammock. Fig. 3 is a plan of the hammock with the suspensory cords. Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications of the spreader.

In said drawings, A represents a hammock of ordinary construction, with its ends B B turned back and sewed or otherwise fastened to the body of the hammock. If necessary, the extremities may be woven and incorporated into the hammock. In this way a loop, a, is formed, which extends entirely across the hammock at each end.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a spreader, G, preferably oval or circular in cross-section, and of a length somewhat greater than the width of the hammock. This bar, in preference composed of tough springy wood, is formed in one piece, and has cut in it a longitudinal slot, 1), which extends through from side to side. In some instances and for economy in material it Fig. 2 is a section trans Serial No. 266,703. (No model.)

may be composed of two pieces. In this event said pieces are bolted or securely fastened together at the ends, as shown in Fig. 4.

To secure the spreader O to the hammock, the looped ends B B are passed into the slotb until they extend therethrough and beyond. A cord or circular rod, D, of larger diameter than the width of the slot is now passed or threaded through the loop a and then cut off even with the edges of the hammock. The latter is now drawn back until said cord contacts against and coincides with said slot, when the spreader and hammock are united. One end of this fastening-cord may be attached permanently to the hammock to prevent its displacement or 1oss. By this arrangement the spreader is very easily made and quickly affixed to the hammock, while the construe tion of the latter is of the simplest form. Furthermore, no cutting or wearing of the weftcords ensues, since the pull or tension is uniform upon each one, and is transverselyof the fastening rod or cord D, preferablybf soft material.

The suspensory cords are shown at c c as disposed at suitable intervals along the spreader. Said suspensory cords encircle the spreader and aresecured thereto by any proper hitch or knot, preferably a running knot. Thus when the hammock is in use the weight of the occupant tends to tighten said knots and contract the width of the slot 6, the more effectually securing the spreader to the hammock.

In attaching the'suspensory cords about the spreader the cords are passed through the body of the hammock between the warp and the weft cords, thence about the spreader and returned back upon themselves and knotted, as before premised.

In lieu of the cord D, a rod, preferably cir cular in cross-section, composed of wood or metal, may be substituted therefor with equally good results. I

An evident modification, as shown in Fig. 5, is to make the spreader of two pieces and lay one on each side of and across the looped end B of the hammock, first passing a cord or rod, D, through the loop a. Whipping-cords d d are then passed about said pieces, and the latmock end between them. The fastening rod or cord lengthwise of and contiguous to the spreader effectually prevents the end from escaping or slipping out. The suspensory cords are attached about the spreader, as hereinbefore described, and the hammock is completed and ready for use.

What I desire to claim is- 1. The hammock A, its ends 13 B looped at a, and the slotted spreader 0, through which the said ends pass, combined with the fastening-cords D, located in said loops transversely of the hammock, and the suspensory cords 0 c, whichencircle said spreader, substantially as herein described.

THEODORE B. THOMAS.

Witnesses;

H. E. LODGE, E. K. BOYNTON. 

